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German football united in mourning after Borussia Dortmund fan dies

The Borussia Dortmund president, Reinhard Rauball, said his club’s thoughts were with the family and friends of a fan who died during their 2-0 win over Mainz in the Bundesliga on Sunday.

One fan passed away and another was in a stable condition in hospital after they both suffered heart attacks at the Westfalenstadion. “In the name of Borussia Dortmund I wish to express my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of those affected,” Rauball said. “Our thoughts are with them.”

Fans of both clubs fell silent when the news filtered through that the fan had died. Dortmund led 1-0 at the time through Marco Reus but, with football put into stark perspective, their Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa, who scored the second, did not celebrate, though his goal confirmed the three points for Dortmund.

“We were informed pretty quickly in the stands of what had happened,” Rauball said. “From that moment on the game fell right into the background. I could no longer concentrate on it. The fans’ reaction was spontaneous. I’ve never experienced anything like it.

“I can only pay a huge compliment to all of the fans for the way in which they expressed their sorrow and respect in this way, in a unified manner. I take my hat off to the Mainz fans who, without exception, joined us in mourning and stopped supporting their team.

“The scarves held in the air when You’ll Never Walk Alone was sung has my utmost respect. It shows how deeply rooted honour and respect of each other exists and can be expressed in such a short period of time, and I can only take my hat off to that.”

Most Bundesliga clubs immediately showed their solidarity and paid their tributes to the deceased in response to a Dortmund tweet. Dortmund’s players lined up arm in arm in front of the Sudtribune as You’ll Never Walk Alone enveloped the stadium following the final whistle.

“Prayers & thoughts to the fan we sadly lost today at the stadium, as well as to our 2nd fan now at hospital,” tweeted Henrikh Mkhitaryan.